Masked outrage

Explain how you used the Elements and Principles in your finished mask.

Final mask

I created balance by making sure both sides of the painting looked as similar as possible to each other. This symmetry was relatively easy to achieve because I used the nose in the mask as the line of symmetry. I tried to create contrast by using white color to offset the brown in the face and by coloring the eyes green. The eyes are also the focal point of the mask. I also wanted to use the head gear as a demarcation point between the upper part and the lower part of the mask. The white paint on the nose and the sticking ears which are grooved and mixed together with the uneven overall tone served to create a rough texture.

Sketch 1

Sketch 2

I did not have to use a lot of color on this mask because I wanted it to look as natural and as earthy as possible. The green eyes with their green stare give the mask an a unusual look that complements the exaggerated elongated face. I decided to top the head with a crystalline crown that would catch the light and draw attention to the overall features.

Share your opinion of your finished mask and 

what you thought about creating the mask.

3D angle

I wanted the mask to look ceremonial and frightening while also keeping it as simple as possible. I tried to use as little material as I could without affecting the overall feel of the whole mask. The creation process was not too hard because I based this on a mask I had seen (mask 2 below) so I had a pretty good idea of where I wanted to go from the start. I just had to give it a personal touch and I think overall the results were what I was looking for.

Mask 1

This is a traditional African mask made by the Mano people who live in Liberia. It seems to be a realistic presentation of a man’s face. It is black in color with cutouts for the eyes, and a closed mouth. It is mounted on a rod that appears to be a later addition, possibly used as a display stand.

Formal analysis

Mano Mask (19th Century)
Artist: Unknown from Liberia
Wood

This appears to be a realistic mask which was perhaps modeled from a real face. It is expressionless and doesn’t exhibit any emotion in its features. It is symmetrical in shape and form. It also appears to have had a highly polished surface which is now mostly gone due to its age. The smoothness and roundness of the face suggest that it may very well be a representation of a healthy and vibrant person. The mask is three dimensional, which adds depth and balance to it. It is not colorful in that it is entirely done in black which might just be a representation of the African people it represents.

Bracketing

The African features of the mask (the broad nose and lips) says to me that the carvers were from sub-Saharan Africa. The faded face paint that runs down the forehead could possibly denote a high ranking person within the community. The strong features suggests that this particular mask was made for a chief, a man who had distinguished himself in battle or some other person of substance.

Interpretation

The eye slits make it clear that this mask was meant to be practical. It is not a scary looking mask which tells me that it may have been used for something else other than religious or medicinal practices or rituals. I think the carver of the mask wanted to capture the youthful features of the person it was meant to represent.

Mask 2

Interpretation

This is a wooden mask of a female figure. The subject has an elaborate hairstyle and facial markings on the forehead. The eyes seem to be closed (or turned down) in submission. The subject also has her mouth open and her teeth can be seen.

Formal analysis

This is a traditional African mask that depicts a female figure. It looks very formal, symmetrical and well balanced with little or no exaggeration. This oval shaped mask seems to be made from one block of wood which gives it continuity and balance. The three dimensional quality of the art also gives it a great sense of balance and the open mouth makes it appear to be less static. It seems to have a very smooth texture and fine finish.

Bracketing

Female mask, Gu Guro (19th Century)
Artist: Unknown from Ivory Coast
Wood

This mask appears to have been made to capture the beauty of a young woman. Perhaps it was made to represent a young bride. The well done and elaborate hairstyle, the beauty marks on the forehead and the unsmiling expression of the face also suggest humility and purity. This mask reminds makes me think of a woman on the day of her wedding ceremony when she is formally presented to her future husband.

Interpretation

I think the artist was trying to represent a young woman who is about to be married, a bride who is shy and unsure. I say this based on the down turned eyes and the care that was taken make sure every feature of her face was as perfect as possible.

Mask 3

Description

This is a terracotta statue of a male head that is described as probably representing “one of the king’s servants.” It shows a half smiling, happy looking man. His face is coated in a brown looking substance. He has a broad forehead and seems to be wearing some sort of head covering.

Formal analysis

Ife head (12-14th Century)
Artist: Unknown from Yoruba, West Africa
Terracotta

The rough texture of the artwork is brought out by the uneven texture of the coating and the straight grooved lines that run down its face. The small size of the mask (height six inches) leads me to think this was made for representational purposes only and therefore did not have any practical value as a face mask that could be worn. This mask, like the others, is well-balanced, symmetrical and is also rendered in three dimensions.

Bracketing

This mask reminds me of an ordinary looking man, suggesting it may have been made for amusement. The natural earthy texture of the surface might also suggest somebody connected with farming or the soil in some way. The head covering may very well be the fashion of the day and may represent humility or perhaps servitude. I also suspect this could be a "self mask" in the fashion of a self-portrait. This mask, I suspect, represents a high ranking household slave or local artist.

Interpretation

It seems that the mask maker in this instance was trying to amuse himself. The mischievous half smile on the man’s face and the lack of jewelry or any other facial decorations may have been an attempt to capture a slave, servant or some other "working man" at his happiest. It is hard for me to tell what the artist was striving for other than a comical take on the life of an ordinary man.